The Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Muhammadu Abubakar, and recovered an AK-47 rifle in Ikoyi-Ile, Oriire Local Government Area.
Olayinka Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, stating that the arrest followed intelligence reports about three armed men seen operating around forests and farmlands in the area.
According to him, a joint team of operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ikoyi-Ile Division, carried out a coordinated search of nearby bushes, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of weapons.
“The operation culminated in the arrest of one of the suspects, identified as Muhammadu Abubakar, from whom an AK-47 rifle, six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and three live cartridges were recovered,” Ayanlade said.
He added that the suspect confessed to multiple kidnapping operations around the Ogbomoso–Ikoyi-Ile axis and is currently cooperating with investigators.
Olugbenga Abimbola, the Commissioner of Police, has ordered the transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, while a manhunt has been launched to apprehend other members of the gang.
Ayanlade said the CP commended the operatives for their professionalism and emphasised the importance of intelligence-led policing.
“This achievement underscores the effectiveness of timely intelligence sharing by members of the public, which enabled the police and other security agencies to respond swiftly to a developing threat,” he said.
The command urged residents to continue providing credible information, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in tackling crime. It also reaffirmed its commitment to ridding the state of violent crimes and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
